Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 40

कार्त्तिकेयान्वेषण-नन्दिसंवाद-वर्णनम्

Search for Kārttikeya and the Nandī Dialogue

Devanagari script

ते सर्वे शिवदूताश्च नानाशस्त्रास्त्रपाणयः । कृत्तिकानां च भवनं वेष्टयामासुरुद्धताः

Transliteration

te sarve śivadūtāśca nānāśastrāstrapāṇayaḥ | kṛttikānāṃ ca bhavanaṃ veṣṭayāmāsuruddhatāḥ

Translation

ते सर्वे शिवदूताश्च नानाशस्त्रास्त्रपाणयः । कृत्तिकानां च भवनं वेष्टयामासुरुद्धताः ॥

Word by Word

• ते: they
• ते: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति; बहुवचन

• सर्वे: all
• सर्वे: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति; बहुवचन; ‘ते’ इति विशेषण

• शिवदूताः: messengers of Śiva
• शिवदूताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव + दूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति; बहुवचन; समासः—शिवस्य दूताः इति षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• नानाशस्त्रास्त्रपाणयः: having various weapons and missiles in hand
• नानाशस्त्रास्त्रपाणयः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नाना (अव्यय) + शस्त्र (प्रातिपदिक) + अस्त्र (प्रातिपदिक) + पाणि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति; बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहिः—नानानि शस्त्राणि अस्त्राणि च पाणौ येषां ते (having various weapons and missiles in their hands)

• कृत्तिकानाम्: of the Kṛttikās
• कृत्तिकानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृत्तिका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; षष्ठी विभक्ति; बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• भवनम्: dwelling, house
• भवनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भवन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति; एकवचन

• वेष्टयामासुः: they surrounded/encircled
• वेष्टयामासुः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वेष्ट् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् लकार (Perfect); परस्मैपद; प्रथमपुरुष; बहुवचन

• उद्धताः: arrogant, fierce
• उद्धताः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उद्धत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति; बहुवचन; ‘ते/शिवदूताः’ इति विशेषण

Speaker

Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Rudra

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Shivadutas
• Krittikas

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It shows Śiva’s sovereign protection and governance: His attendants act as instruments of divine order (Śiva-śāsana), indicating that the Lord’s will operates through His śakti and gaṇas to safeguard sacred beings and the unfolding of dharma.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

The verse reflects Saguna Śiva—Śiva with attributes—who commands attendants and intervenes in the world. In Linga-worship, devotees honor this same Lord as the supreme Pati whose presence and authority extend through all His manifestations and retinues.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is protective Śiva-smaraṇa: daily pañcākṣarī japa (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with vibhūti (tripuṇḍra) and a prayer for Śiva’s guardianship—remembering that the Lord’s grace removes obstacles and establishes inner discipline.